Ben Rhodes, driver of the No. 27 Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra, made his third career start at Dover (Del.) International Speedway (DIS) in Friday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Bar Harbor 200. Starting sixth, Rhodes finished seventh in Stage 1, third in Stage 2, and led a race-high 71 laps in the final Stage. Unfortunately, pit strategy by the race leaders would force the ThorSport Racing driver to cross the stripe in the fourth position behind race winner, Johnny Sauter.

The top-five result was Rhodes track-best finish in three starts, and also his season-best finish.

Quote:

“Our No. 27 Safelite Toyota Tundra was really fast today. The track was coming to us, even though we played it conservative all weekend long. This was probably the most conservative race I’ve ever had in my racing career. The fact that we almost won it, was pretty incredible. I feel like this is big picture racing for us – we’re just trying to get some points back after some DNF’s this year, not from our doing, just bad luck. Had things played out a little differently, and that caution not come out with the 29 when he lost a tire, I think we could have very well won this race. Due to pit strategy, we had to take the ‘lucky dog,’ and drive our way back to the front. Unfortunately, once we got in traffic, we were just too tight, and again, just staying conservative to ensure we had a good points day.”

Notes:

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) had two practice sessions on Thursday afternoon in preparation for Friday’s Bar Harbor 200 at DIS. Ben Rhodes was second and 19th-quick, respectively, in both sessions.

Making his third start at DIS, Rhodes started sixth, led the field once for a race-high 71 laps, and finished fourth in the 200-lap event. The top-five result was the Safelite AutoGlass drivers track-best finish, and season-best finish.

The ThorSport Racing driver earned bonus points in Stages 1 and 2 at DIS, for finishing inside the top-10.

In three starts at the Monster Mile, Rhodes has led 71 laps en route to one top-five finish (2017).

After six starts in 2017, the Safelite AutoGlass driver has led 116 laps en route to two top-five, and three top-10 finishes.

In 33 career starts, Rhodes has one pole (Martinsville-1, 2016), and has led 171 laps en route to five top-five, and 11 top-10 finishes.

Up Next: The Rattlesnake 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, June 9 at 8:00pm ET.

About Safelite AutoGlass®:

Safelite AutoGlass® is the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services with more than 7,200 MobileGlassShops™ and company stores in all 50 states. Last year, nearly 6 million customers chose Safelite for its 24/7 national contact centers, advanced online scheduling, superior repair and replacement systems, and the industry’s only nationwide lifetime guarantee. Founded in 1947, the Columbus, Ohio-based company employs 13,000 people across the United States. For more information visit: www.Safelite.com.

About ThorSport Racing:

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing, which has competed in the NCWTS since 1996, will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by two-time NCWTS drivers’ champion Matt Crafton, the No. 13 JEGS/RIDE TV Toyota Tundra driven by Cody Coughlin, the No. 27 Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra driven by Ben Rhodes, and the No. 98 RIDE TV/Champion Power Equipment/Jive Communications Toyota Tundra driven by Grant Enfinger. For more information visit www.ThorSport.com.